Acting Prosecutor General Sarafov Takes Part in Round Table on Drunk Driving and Its Legal Consequences

Desislava Toncheva

Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov at the round table, December 9 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

09.12.2024 12:07

(BTA)

Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov Monday took part in a round table on effective measures against drunk driving and legal sanctions and consequences. The forum was organized by the European Centre for Transport Policies and the Angels on the Road association.

"We should not lightly abandon the measure of confiscating the cars of drivers who have used alcohol or drugs, because it works," said Sarafov during the meeting. He added that prosecutors should plead for intent in an accident after the use of alcohol and drugs.

Sarafov addressed the parents of children who died in accidents and assured them that he and the prosecuting magistracy has a personal commitment. "Each of us is a participant in road traffic. There is a lot to be done," he pointed out.

"The public debate has become profane and there are no talks about what is important for society. There is no talk of judicial reform, are only personal attacks," said Sarafov. "I will seek disciplinary responsibility from every prosecutor who neglects his professional duties. The rights of the perpetrators have been elevated to a pedestal. The victims have suffered doubly, from the crime and from the legal system," he also commented. "We must take such measures so that this does not happen again. Anyone who gets drunk to the point of forgetfulness must know that if they are caught, an effective sentence will follow,'' said the Acting Prosecutor General.

Sarafov recalled his idea that in order to solve the problem with expert opinions, it would be good to have a special bureau at the Ministry of Justice. "We need a reform of the judicial system," he stressed. Replacing one prosecutor general with another is not a judicial reform, he commented. Sarafov added that there is an idea according to which permission can be given to use traffic data in order to identify the perpetrator of an accident or an accomplice.

"Recently, it has become fashionable to attack the prosecution service, even personally. At the moment, we do not have the authority for general supervision of legality. Declaring the disempowerment of the prosecution service and the prosecutor general is not a success," Sarafov pointed out. He added that it has become fashionable to drive at excessive speed, to film and broadcast on the Internet. "Therefore, we must do everything possible that society requires of us," he argued.

/RY/